Children Transform Into Authors At Sharjah Reading Festival Workshop

A vibrant atmosphere of creativity enveloped the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (SCRF 2024) this Friday, as children as young as eight stepped into the shoes of authors at the Wooden Books workshop. Their imaginations took flight, crafting stories that journeyed from the African savannas to the bustling urban landscapes of the UAE. Among these young talents was ten-year-old Isra Mohammed from Sharjah, who was busy narrating the adventures of Layla, a friendly African elephant seeking companionship in new territories. "Layla is very kind and friendly. She’s come all the way from African forests to the UAE to make friends with falcons and camels," Isra shared, her enthusiasm palpable as she brought her characters to life on wooden squares.

The workshop, conceived by Ghiwa Bouyounes—an interior designer with a flair for educational woodcraft—offered children plain wooden squares, stencils of animals and birds, a variety of colours, and threads to bind their stories into unique wooden books. "It’s a free canvas for their imagination. They can create picture books or weave in dialogues; it’s completely up to them to script their adventures," Bouyounes said, emphasizing the creative freedom the workshop provided.

Not far from Isra, nine-year-old Ala Abdullah was deeply engaged in creating the story of Ashley, an elephant with a past life in a New York zoo, now exploring the Emirates with a local cat as her guide. "Ashley might just stay in the UAE forever," Ala speculated, hinting at the endless possibilities her story could explore.

The Wooden Books workshop stands out as one of four creative sessions available at the festival's Workstation section. Bouyounes, who is passionate about Montessori-style learning, designed each workshop to develop both motor and creative skills while educating children about different types of wood and their uses. "This year, we’ve introduced four unique workshops, including furniture making and a car-making studio, tailored for various age groups and skill sets," Bouyounes detailed, highlighting the educational focus of each session.

Older participants had the opportunity to engage in furniture building during Friday’s session, resulting in an impressive array of handcrafted stools that demonstrated their skill and creativity. Bouyounes will continue to lead these workshops until May 6, with two sessions planned each day.

The 15th edition of the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival has emerged as a beacon of creativity and learning, drawing together a diverse group of artists, authors, educators, and industry experts. With its wide range of activities and educational opportunities, the festival serves not only as a playground for young imaginations but also as a platform for cultural exchange and inspiration.

The festival remains open to visitors at no charge at the Expo Centre Sharjah until May 12. For more information on this celebration of young creativity and storytelling, interested parties are encouraged to visit the Sharjah Children's Reading Festival’s website: https://www.scrf.ae/en/home.

With inputs from WAM